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Drottnar

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Drottnar
Drottnar live at Elements of Rock 2013 in Switzerland.
Drottnar live at Elements of Rock 2013 inSwitzerland.
Background information
Also known asVitality
OriginFredrikstad,Norway
GenresFolk metal,black metal,[1][2]death-doom,avant-garde death metal,[3]viking metal,[1][3]mathcore
Years active1996–present
LabelsEndtime (2006–present)
Momentum Scandinavia (2003)
Plankton (2000)
MembersKarl Fredrik Lind
Håvar Wormdahl
Glenn-David Lind
Past membersBengt Olsson
Sven-Erik Lind
Bjarne Peder Lind
Websitedrottnar.com

Drottnaris anextreme metalband fromFredrikstad,Norway.Formed in 1996, the band has released four albums,Spiritual Battle(2000),Welterwerk(2006),Stratum(2012) andMonolith(2019) and an EP titledAnamorphosis(2003). The first album was released on UK label Plankton Records. They are currently signed to Swedish label Endtime Productions (Extol,Antestor,Crimson Moonlight).[4][5]

Drottnaris the plural (sing.Drottinn,Norwegian "Drott" ) of anIcelandicword for master, ruler or king. Originally adopting aVikingimage,[6]the band is currently known for their peculiar thematics and live shows where they use military uniforms reminiscent of theSovietstyle.

History

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The band was originally formed under the nameVitalityin 1996 by four Lind siblings:[7]vocalist Sven-Erik Lind, guitarist-keyboardist Karl Fredrik Lind, drummer Glenn-David Lind, and bassist Bjarne Peder Lind. They recorded their first two demos at X-Ray Studios. The first one, titledDoom of Antichrist,was released in May 1996.

In 1998, the name was changed to Drottnar and a demo titledA White Realmwas recorded in September.

In 2000, the band released their demos together as an album titledSpiritual Battle.It was published by UK based label Plankton Records. The demos were remastered for the album, andSpiritual Battlewas well received byCross Rhythms Magazine.[3]

A year later, Drottnar entered the studio of Black Woods Productions and recorded a song called "Trellebaand Maa Briste" for the Swedish label Endtime Productions' compilation albumIn the Shadow of Death.

The band changed its image a bit and used more militant elements such as gas masks as part of its live shows. In 2003, Drottnar recorded an EP titledAnamorphosison the Norwegian label Momentum Scandinavia. The EP was limited to 850 copies, and contains an intro and three songs with violins on the intro and other parts. Bass player Bjarne Peder Lind left the band before the album was recorded. Drottnar was joined by guitarist Bengt Olsson and bassist Håvar Wormdahl.

Vocalist Sven-Erik Lind wearing a military uniform.

In 2005, the band was signed to Endtime Productions, and entered Subsonic Studios to record new material. Some elements such as trumpet were recorded inOstrava,Czech Republicby Jan-Espen S. Schildmann. In April 2006, the band released an album titledWelterwerk.[8]A 7-inch vinyl single titledAd Hoc Revoltwas also released for promotional purposes. Around the time of the album's release, the band began using early 20th century military regalia as part of their image.[2]

Drottnar has performed with bands such asGrimfistandExtol.The band played a short tour in the U.S. in summer 2008, performing at theCornerstone Festival.

On 1 February 2009 the band announced that it was recording a new album.[9]The next day, Drottnar announced the departure of guitarist Bengt Olsson.[10]However, later that year, on 12 August, the band announced that Olsson had rejoined Drottnar.[11]Recording continued for the next few years. A single from the album, "Lucid Stratum", was released on 8 November 2011.[12]On 13 October 2012 the band released the new album, entitledStratum,in digital format, as well as a music video for the song "We March".[13][14]In 2017 the band released the first of a trio of EPs, Monolith I, followed by Monolith II and Monolith III in 2018. All three have met with very positive praise from fans, showcasing a more raw, even more experimental sound than previous material.

Festival performances

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Drottnar has played at notable festivals such as Sweden's Endtime Fest,[15]Norway's Nordic Fest,[16]Netherlands' Brainstorm Fest, Switzerland's Elements of Rock,[17]and Finland's Immortal Metal Fest.[18]

Lyrics and themes

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In the beginning the band's lyrics dealt with Christianity with a brutal and extreme approach; the lyrics on the albumSpiritual Battlewere inspired by theBook of Revelationand dealt mostly with the battle ravaging the spiritual world. The band members have said "The Norwegian black metal scene does not influence our lyrics, but the lyrics are still written in a black metal way, fitting our music well."[7]

Megaphones are a recognizable element of Drottnar's live shows.

Currently Drottnar has had a special feature for several years, the use of Czech or "Soviet"style elements: the song titles and lyrics contain Soviet-sounding words and metaphors, some songs contain samples of radio play or radio communication elements involved in the 20th century,[8]and at concerts all band members used Soviet uniforms,.[19][2]The vocalist Sven-Erik Lind typically uses effects such asmegaphonesto create a military atmosphere.

Musical style

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Drottnar's general style has been described asblack metal,[1][2]death/doom,[3]andFolk metal.[1][3]OnSpiritual Battle,the band was compared toGroms,Extol,andAntestor,and Sven-Erik used a vocal style ranging fromgrowlingto a more high-pitched style.[3]With the release ofWelterwerk,Drottnar broadened their style, "aiming somewhere betweenAtheist,Extol, and the most complexMayhemmaterial and almost hitting the mark. "[2]

Discography

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Drottnar live in 2013.
Albums
  • Welterwerk(2006, Endtime Productions)
  • Stratum(2012, Endtime Productions)
  • Monolith(2019, Endtime Productions)
Singles
  • "Lucid Stratum" Single (2011, Endtime Productions)
  • "Wolves and Lambs' Single (2016, Endtime Productions)
Extended Plays
  • AnamorphosisEP (2003, Momentum Scandinavia)
  • Ad Hoc Revolt7-inch EP (2006, Endtime Productions)
  • Monolith IEP (2017, Endtime Productions)
  • Monolith IIEP (2018, Endtime Productions)
  • Monolith IIIEP (2018, Endtime Productions)
Demo
  • Doom of Antichrist(Demo, 1997)asVitality
  • Demo 96/97(Demo, 1997)asVitality
  • A White Realm(Demo, 1998)
Compilation

Plankton Records)

Members

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Current lineup
  • Karl Fredrik Lind –guitar(1996–present),Vocals(2013-present)
  • Håvar Wormdahl –bass guitar(2003–present)
  • Glenn-David Lind –drums(1996–present)
Former members

Timeline

Notes

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  1. ^abcdSharpe-Young, Garry."Drottnar".MusicMight.Archived fromthe originalon 2012-09-15.Retrieved2010-12-09.
  2. ^abcdeWagner, Wilson, pp. 276–277.
  3. ^abcdefCranson, David (February 2001)."Drottnar -Spiritual Battle".Cross Rhythms(61).Retrieved2007-11-20.
  4. ^(name redacted) (2004-08-20)."Drottnar - Anamorphosis".Metal.de.Versus: Media UG.Retrieved2007-11-20.
  5. ^Skjæringrud, Morgan (2003-09-20)."Drottnar".Musikkavisen(in Norwegian). Archived fromthe originalon 2012-02-09.Retrieved2007-11-20.
  6. ^Sharpe-Young, Garry."Vitality".MusicMight.Archived fromthe originalon 2012-10-03.Retrieved2010-12-09.
  7. ^abSharpe-Young 2001,"Drottnar", p. 133. Quote: "Although just as vicious and chaotic as many pure Black Metal band, Drottnar are in fact ardent Christians. The band employs strong use of mythical imagery from the books of revelation to achieve their aim."
  8. ^abHaustein, Christoph (2007-05-26)."Drottnar - Welterwerk"(in German). Crossover AGM. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-08-29.Retrieved2007-11-20.
  9. ^"Recording new album!".Facebook.February 1, 2009.RetrievedJuly 2,2014.
  10. ^"Bengt leaves Drottnar".Facebook.February 2, 2009.RetrievedJuly 2,2014.
  11. ^"Announcement".Facebook.August 12, 2009.RetrievedJuly 2,2014.
  12. ^"DROTTNAR".Facebook.November 8, 2011.RetrievedJuly 2,2014.
  13. ^C., Taylor (October 13, 2012)."Drottnar – We March".Indie Vision Music.Brandon Jones.RetrievedJuly 2,2014.
  14. ^Drottnar (October 13, 2012)."DROTTNAR - WE MARCH (OFFICIAL)".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-12.RetrievedJuly 2,2014.
  15. ^"Extol, Crimson Moonlight, Veni Domine Confirmed for Sweden's Endtime Festival - Jan. 10, 2007".Blabbermouth.Archived fromthe originalon 2011-06-06.Retrieved2007-11-21.
  16. ^"Nordic Fest 2005".Nordic Fest.Archived fromthe originalon 2012-02-09.Retrieved2007-11-21.
  17. ^"Veni Domine Confirmed for Switzerland's Elements of Rock Festival - Dec. 13, 2003".Blabbermouth.13 December 2003.Retrieved2007-11-21.Other bands scheduled to appear at the three-day event areImmortal Souls(Fin), Seventh Avenue (Ger), Drottnar (Nor),Slechtvalk(Neth), Crushead (Ger),Sacrificium(Ger), Arson (Ger), Exaudi (Ger),Demoniciduth(Swi) and Disobedience (Swi).
  18. ^"Immortal Metal Fest 2006 (Drottnar was the headliner)".Immortal Metal Fest.Archived fromthe originalon 2007-11-09.Retrieved2007-11-21.
  19. ^Lockert, Morten (2007-05-26)."Grimfist + Drottnar (Oslo 26.05.07)".Heavymetal.no(in Norwegian). Archived fromthe originalon 2012-02-09.Retrieved2007-11-20.

References

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